We were fortunate to catch up with some brilliant artists, creatives and entrepreneurs from throughout the Houston area and they share the wisdom with us below.

Sarah Cuddy | Financial Advisor, Robert W. Baird & Co

I love this question! Yes, I do have a budget that I keep in an Excel spreadsheet. And I use that budget to make spending decisions all the time. I use my budget to help decide how much I can afford to spend on my annual vacation, if I can move forward on my next home improvement project, my target monthly savings rate, and what if anything I can spend on the “extras” that make life a little sweeter. Read more>>

Stephanie Marshall | Professional Home Organizer

The Latin phrase “Ora et Labora: meaning to pray and work profoundly inspires me. The phrase speaks to my soul, as it integrates spirituality and effort, seeing work as part of a higher calling to assist others. This phrase has been a guidepost in my daily life for many years, motivating me to strive for continuous improvement and positively impact those around me. “Ora et Labora” has provided strength and reinforced my belief that intentional and purposeful work leads to the achievement of goals. Read more>>

Vicky Benitez | New York Portrait Photographer

Other than deciding to work for myself, the single most important decision I made that contributed to my success was to never stop learning. I LOVE taking classes and learning about different topics, not just photography. I found amazing mentors, stayed curious, and always kept up with the latest trends. This made me feel better and more confident at what I do and helped me create much better photos for my clients! Read more>>

LaToya Pursley | Realtor

Other than deciding to work for me, one of the most important single decisions that I had to make was facing the fact that I had to overcome and remove the fear of failure. Read more>>

Yvette Criner | Accredited Business Intermediary/Accredited Business Broker

I believe that when you take a risk, you step out of your comfort zone without knowing what lies ahead. It involves trust—not just in the outcome, but in yourself, your abilities, and sometimes something greater. This trust in yourself and abilities and vision forms the foundation of faith. In business, risk-taking is essentially an exercise in faith, as it requires believing in your vision and your capacity to turn ideas into reality despite of. I literally have walked by faith in every business I have ever started and in life in general. You never know what’s just around the corner, but do we stop? No, we keep walking. Read more>>

Fielesia Kuykendall | Co-Founder – Narvie’s Sweet Tea Ltd Co

Throughout life, we’ve learned to adapt and thrive in environments society would deem risky: this process was cultivated young. Born in Waco, TX, I relocated with my family to Dallas, TX, hoping for a new life in a big city. Confronted with a hostile environment, I took a risk to demonstrate to my kids that fear is solely an emotion and not a roadblock. Through adversity, I found solace and inspiration to continue my family’s legacy by creating a tribute to my late mother: this was the catalyst for Narvie’s Sweet Tea. Reflecting on our journey, it’s clear that I would not be where I am today if I had never decided to alter my perspective regarding risks. Read more>> 

Isaiah Minick | Somatic Educator

I recently finished the book “The Myth of Normal” by Gabor Maté. Maté is a Canadian physician who has written several books. He uses a mixture of scientific studies and stories from his practice to help spread knowledge of different topics. This book is a way to re-describe what ‘normal’ is, in terms of health considering both metal and physical health and the interconnectedness between the two. He also describes how both personal and societal changes can positively impact the health of us all. Read more>>

Jay King | Entrepreneur, Author, CEO, Makeup Artist, Stylists, Beauty Technician

One thing about this industry and any industry in my opinion, is that things aren’t what they seem. It’s really hard work to chase your dreams but the glory comes in chasing it, so regardless to how it seems. Keep moving forward. Read more>>

Kelsey Thomas | Fashion Designer

I have always had the most ambitious dreams/goals. As a kid, all I did was dream of a life I wanted for myself. Although I dreamed it, honestly I never saw it happening due to my environment. Once I changed my environment, my dreams turned into reality and the opportunities have become endless. The goal post for me is constantly moving, as I am still learning my own potential. Read more>>

Rebecca Paulsel | Owner of The Golden Leash Dog Walking and Pet Sitting

I hope by the end of my career, to have built a strong business that uses my God given gifts and talents to serve others. My goal has always been and will always be, to server others and provide the best quality of care possible for humans and animals. Read more>>

Benjamin L Williams | Leader, Entrepreneur and Innovator

My business career has taught me that you have to be focused, resilient and committed but most importantly, you have to keep moving forward. Things will happen and sometimes they can bring you down, but you have to keep pressing forward. The way you think and the way you handle challenges will have a profound impact on your ability to continue moving forward to achieve your goals. You have to Have to be willing to deal with highs and lows and keep pressing on. Read more>>

Elizabeth Morris | Science Instructional Coach and Owner of Mrs. Bessie Bakes

Honesty, it truly is the best policy- from both an owner and client perspective! Read more>>

Camila Houston | Life Coach & Entrepreneur

The value that matters most to me is the power of knowledge and self-discovery. As a life coach, I always invest in learning new techniques and information that can help me improve my coaching methods. My purpose is to inspire other women to embrace their real journeys and connect with their feminine energy of manifestation, one step at a time. Read more>>